SC halts all mining activities, transporation in Goa

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday ordered stop to all mining activities, including transportation of already mined manganese and iron ore, in Goa. It also sought responses of the central and state governments on a petition filed by an environmental action group Goa Foundation.

The apex court's forest bench headed by Justice Aftab Alam, while directing that all mining operations in the state be halted, also blocked the Goa government move to revoke the existing ban on mining operations after Diwali.

Goa mining. Firstpost

The move came after an expert panel formed by the federal government found "serious illegalities and irregularities" in mining operations. There had, however, been no ban on the movement of iron ore already produced and stored at ports or in transit.

Counsel Prashant Bhushan told the court that in the name of transportation of already extracted ore, the illegal mining was continuing in the state.

The court asked the central empowered committee on environmental matters to submit its report on the condition of mines in Goa within four weeks.